of the fixed Alkalies. 41 
hydrogene, and oxygene, it is no less easy to give a rational 
account of the phenomena of its production and decomposi- 
tion, than in adopting the generally received hypothesis of 
its composition. 
Oxygene, hydrogens, and nitrogene are always present 
in cases in which volatile alkali is formed ; and it usually 
appears during the decomposition of bodies in which oxygene 
is loosely attached, as in that of the compounds of oxygene 
and nitrogene dissolved in water. 
At common temperatures under favourable circumstances, 
the three elements may be conceived capable of combining 
and of remaining in union : but at the heat of ignition the 
affinity of hydrogene for oxygene prevails over the complex 
attraction, water is formed, and hydrogene and nitrogene are 
evolved ; and according to these conclusions, ammonia will 
bear the same relations to the fixed alkalies, as the vegetable 
acids with compound bases do to the mineral ones with simple 
bases. 
Oxygene then may be considered as existing in, and as 
forming, an element in all the true alkalies ; and the principle 
of acidity of the French nomenclature, might now likewise 
be called the principle of alkalescence. 
From analogy alone it is reasonable to expect that the 
alkaline earths are compounds of a similar nature to the fixed 
alkalies, peculiar highly combustible metallic bases united to 
oxygene. I have tried some experiments upon barytes and 
strontites ; and they go far towards proving that this must be 
the case. When barytes and strontites, moistened with water, 
were acted upon by the power of the battery of 250 of 4 and 
6, there was a vivid action and a brilliant light at both points 
of communication, and an inflammation at the negative point. 
mdcccviii. G 
